SAGINAW, MI —Saginaw Spirit owner Dick Garber is asking people to offer their support to family and friends of Terry Trafford and members of the hockey team as they process news that the 20-year-old Spirit center has died.

"It's a very, very, very difficult time for the entire Spirit family," Garber said. "It's a tough situation, it's so sad."

Trafford was found dead on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 11, inside his pickup parked at Walmart, 5825 Brockway, in Saginaw Township. He was last seen leaving The Dow Event Center, where the Saginaw Spirit play, on the morning of Monday, March 3, police said.

Police have not said how Trafford died, but his girlfriend told The Saginaw News he was distraught after being disciplined for violating team rules.

Garber said Spirit President Craig Goslin is designated as the spokesman for the Spirit regarding Trafford's death. Goslin is expected to make additional statements to the press Wednesday, March 12.

"It's just a sad, sad tragedy," Garber said. "We're all waiting to gather more information before we draw conclusions."

"We're taking it day by day, supporting the Trafford family and supporting the staff and the young men of the Spirit."

Garber is president of the Garber Management Group, which operates 13 car dealerships under the Garber Automotive Group and related businesses.

Michigan State Police Lt. Brian Cole said police were trying to schedule Trafford's autopsy for Thursday, March 13.

Investigators were still working on Wednesday, March 12, to determine how long the truck Trafford was inside was parked at Walmart.

Trafford attended Heritage High School for two years during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, assistant principal and district athletic director Pete Ryan said. Trafford returned to his hometown of Toronto to graduate, Ryan said.

"He was a good kid, he was respectful," Ryan said. "It's a really sad day, it's a sad loss for the Spirit. We have students from the Spirit team here. I know it's tough on them."

Skye Cieszlak, girlfriend of missing Saginaw Spirit hockey player Terry Trafford is comforted after collapsing in the parking lot of the Saginaw Township Wal-Mart, Tuesday, March. 11, 2014. Police found a 1995 GMC Sierra that matches the description of Terry Trafford's vehicle. Police found a body in the truck but have not yet identified the person.Neil Barris | Mlive.com

Trafford's parents, Roy and Beverly Trafford, are nice people who had Trafford's best intentions at heart, Ryan said.

The school's counselors are trained to provide support for those grieving and are available to any students in need.

Many students and staff members are thinking of Trafford and his friends and family, he said.

"Heritage's thoughts and prayers are with the Spirit and the Spirit players and the Traffords as well," he said.

He mentioned Skye Cieszlak, a Heritage High School graduate who was dating Trafford at the time of his death, saying, "I feel terribly for her."